President Prabowo Calls for Prioritising Local Talent in Abadi Masela Project
President Prabowo Subianto has requested that local residents be prioritised in the implementation of the Abadi Masela Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) National Strategic Project (PSN) in the Tanimbar Islands Regency, Maluku. He stated that the project must provide direct benefits to the local community through employment and the empowerment of local businesses.
Prabowo said the Abadi Masela project is not only aimed at strengthening national energy self-sufficiency but also at driving economic growth in Eastern Indonesia. Therefore, the local community must be a key part of the project’s development from the construction phase.
“All of this belongs to our people, and the responsibility is to ensure that the people feel the benefits. So the commitment is to prioritise local residents and assist local entrepreneurs,” the President said during the virtual groundbreaking ceremony for the Abadi Masela LNG Project, quoted on Friday (17/7/2026).
He emphasised that local entrepreneurs must also be given the opportunity to grow. If their capabilities are still limited, the government, together with state-owned enterprises (BUMN), is asked to provide mentoring so they can participate in the strategic project.
According to Prabowo, state companies such as Pertamina and Danantara must take an active role in strengthening the capacity of regional business actors so that the economic benefits of the project can be felt equitably.
“If there are local entrepreneurs who lack competence, they should be assisted. There must be partiality, affirmative action. Later, state-owned enterprises, Danantara, and Pertamina will provide technical assistance,” the Head of State said.
Prabowo assessed that the success of national strategic projects is not only measured by the size of the investment or energy production but also by its impact on people’s welfare. Therefore, the government wants the Abadi Masela project to become an example of investment that creates job opportunities, develops local businesses, and promotes equitable development in Eastern Indonesia.
The President is optimistic that the Abadi Masela LNG project will become a driver of progress for Eastern Indonesia while strengthening national energy self-sufficiency. He said all stakeholders must maintain the commitment so that the project’s benefits are truly felt by the community, especially the local people of Maluku.